Evolving Faith: Why Science and

Faith are Completely Compatible

Steven L. Peck
Associate Professor
Department of Biology
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT
 Range of Belief

Intelligent Design Creationism

Atheistic Evolution
Agnostic Evolution
 Evolving Faith
Part of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute ‘Living Faith Series’
Samuel Wilberforce Robert Fitzroy
Joseph Fielding Smith—LDS Apostle and Later
Church President
"This brings us to the discussion of what I believe to
be the most pernicious doctrine ever entering the
mind of man: The theory that man evolved from the
lower forms of live. For its source we must go beyond
the activities and research of mortal man to the
author of evil, who has been an enemy of truth from
the beginning before the earth was formed." [Smith,
Joseph Fielding, Man--His Origin an Destiny, 1954
Deseret Book Company, Salt Lake City, p. 133
 But there was a difference of opinion

• Against evolution
– Joseph Fielding Smith
• Ok with it
– James Talmage
– BH Roberts
– John Widtsoe
• Actively Neutral
– Gordon B. Hinkley
 Evolution at BYU when I was an
Undergraduate

Professor Clayton M White

Professor Duane E. Jeffery

8
 Range of Belief

Intelligent Design Creationism

Atheistic Evolution
Agnostic Evolution
“To you scientists in the audience: go back
to foundations. Find the root and basis of
your science.”
Quote from Elder Nelson, as remembered at Pleasant Grove East Stake
Conference in 2000 by Steve Peck
 Comments on my blog

“SteveP, Your
evolutionary prophets
are the very catalysts
of the new Atheist
movement!”
 What’s at stake?
• Science vs. Religion?
 Russell M. Nelson Dedicates the LSB
• “For students, there is nowhere better to
confront the questions shared between science
and religion than in the College of Life Sciences
at Brigham Young University,” Elder Nelson said.
“What a blessing this building will be.”

• “There is no conflict between science and

religion. Conflict only arises from an incomplete
knowledge of either science or religion, or both,”
 Two ways of discovering truth
Elder Scott General Conference ‘Truth the foundation of correct decisions’ Oct. 2007
Science: “There are two ways to
find truth—both useful, provided
we follow the laws upon which
they are predicated. The first is
the scientific method. It can
require analysis of data to
confirm a theory or, alternatively,
establish a valid principle
through experimentation.”
Revelation: “The best way of
finding truth is simply to go to
the origin of all truth and ask or
respond to inspiration. For
success, two ingredients are
essential: first, unwavering faith
in the source of all truth; second,
a willingness to keep God’s
commandments to keep open
spiritual communication with
Him.”